Senator Lieberman has had a strange year. His ostracism from the Democratic Party failed to stop his re-election, and has paradoxically put him in a stronger position than ever–although, for many reasons, I doubt he’ll ever hold national office, even … Continue reading →
The Clinton-Obama Democratic matchup is study in contrasts, so far. We know Hillary only too well; one of her problems is that of too much exposure. Obama is the proverbial blank slate. They’re both trailblazers, demographically speaking, but of different … Continue reading →
Chavez may have rigged the referendum of 2004, according to a statistical study by two Venezuelan scientists. An isolated study or two wouldn’t mean much. But there’s a lot more evidence that this particular election was rigged. And is there … Continue reading →
I’m reading a fascinating book by Robert Kagan entitled Dangerous Nation: America’s place in the world from its earliest days to the dawn of the twentieth century. A mouthful, I know–and that’s only Part I, which goes up to the … Continue reading →
On “Face the Nation” yesterday, Tony Snow made what seems to me to be an eminently reasonable request: What I would say to members of Congress is: Calm down and take a look at what’s going on, and ask yourself … Continue reading →
Castro’s not really dead, although most likely dying, despite his TV cameo appearance. Chavez’s star, however, is in the ascendance, and expanding fast. He’s the new Castro, with a bigger field to play on than Castro ever had: Venezuela. Chavez … Continue reading →
New bumper sticker: Don’t blame us: we’re from Congress, and we pass resolutions! It’s reminiscent of the post-Watergate 1974 message that used to be plastered all over the cars in Boston, where I lived at the time: “Don’t blame me, … Continue reading →
This WSJ editorial by Daniel Hettinger clear-sightedly, and with some puzzlement, describes the remarkable defeatism that seems to be spreading throughout the American Congress and public like some easily transmitted virus. Defeatism is the new feel-good emotion; it allows us … Continue reading →
Seeing Bush’s face last night and hearing his voice, I got the feeling that he’s fighting, not only the Islamic totalitarians or his opponents on the Hill, but an exhaustion that comes with the fact that he’s spent almost all … Continue reading →
The news is replete with stories about how the Democrats and some moderate Republicans are against Bush’s “surge.” And many articles also suggest that Congress might even be prepared to cut off funding for the military, or specific funding for … Continue reading →
It seems to me that Representative Charles Rangel’s suggestion to reintroduce the draft should get some sort of prize for cynical ploys in Congress. Granted, he’s got a lot of competition, but this one is designed to offend almost everyone, … Continue reading →
I caught the second half of Bush’s post-election press conference today. Say what you like about politicians, but one thing they almost always display is an uncommon ability to pick themselves up and dust themselves off, and to do it … Continue reading →